About the Bay Program
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. The Chesapeake Bay Program partners include the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; the Environmental Protection Agency, representing the federal government; and participating citizen advisory groups. For more, visit our overview of the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Who We Are
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a regional partnership that leads and directs Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection. Bay Program partners include federal and state agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations and academic institutions. Staff members work at the Bay Program's Annapolis, Maryland, office and at partner organizations throughout the Bay watershed.
Michelle Price-Fay, Acting Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3
Michelle Price-Fay joins the Chesapeake Bay Program Office after serving since April 2019 as the Clean Water Branch (CWB) Chief in the Water Division of EPA Region III. As the Chief of the CWB, Michelle worked extensively with the Mid-Atlantic State Water Programs to review and establish water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), impaired waters listings and monitoring and assessment programs. In addition, Michelle's program area of responsibility also included oversight of federally-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and the oversight of state authorized programs to implement NPDES permits.
Martha Shimkin, Deputy Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3
Martha brings a diverse and varied background from over 25 years at the Environmental Protection Agency to the Chesapeake Bay Program. She has worked for the past three years in the Office of Water at EPA headquarters, serving as acting Deputy Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, and Office of Wastewater Management, as well as in the Office of Water Immediate Office where she led preparation for the Presidential transition in 2020 and served as acting Deputy Assistant Administrator during the transition. Martha has also served as acting Director, Land and Chemicals Division, in EPA’s MidAtlantic Regional office (Region3) for 5 months in 2017-2018. Throughout her EPA career, Martha has created and managed many programs and policies, led regulatory development, and developed agency plans for implementing new laws.
How We Work
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that brings together leaders and experts from a vast range of agencies and organizations. Each Bay Program partner uses its own resources to implement Bay restoration and protection activities. Partners work together through the Bay Program’s goal teams, workgroups and committees to collaborate, share information and set goals.
-
Bay Program History
Since the Chesapeake Bay Program’s formation in 1983, several written agreements have guided the partnership’s pollution reduction and ecosystem restoration efforts.
-
Adaptive Management
Adaptive management is an ongoing, science-based process through which the Chesapeake Bay Program plans, implements and evaluates its restoration efforts.
-
Partnerships
The Chesapeake Bay Program was built upon the idea of collaboration. The Bay Program partnership brings together leaders and experts to achieve a shared vision of a restored Bay.
-
Funding and Financing
The Bay Program partnership engages dozens of agencies and organizations in Bay restoration. Partners include federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and academic institutions.
-
Accomplishments
The Chesapeake Bay Program has made significant accomplishments since its formation, becoming a regional, national and international leader in ecosystem science, modeling and restoration partnerships.
How We’re Organized
The Chesapeake Bay Program is organized into committees, goal implementation teams, workgroups and action teams.
Click the image to view our dynamic organization chart.
Featured
-
ChesapeakeStat
A tool to assess progress and enhance accountability and transparency.
-
Chesapeake Bay TMDL
The EPA established a "pollution diet" to reduce nutrients and sediment in the Bay.
-
Bay Executive Order
Calls on the federal government to lead a renewed effort to restore the Bay.
-
Maryland BayStat
A powerful statewide tool designed to assess and coordinate Bay restoration.
Find a Person
Find a member of the CBP community using the Who's Who search.